The Valencia Half Marathon aims to break its records

The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich 2025 will set off on Sunday with the goal of breaking its records. The athletes themselves confirmed this during the press conference held today at the Expo 21K Feria Valencia, the runners’ expo. The main contenders are Yomif Kejelcha and Agnes Ngetich.

Yomif Kejelcha, who set the current world record (57:30) at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon, ratified by World Athletics, stated that 57:30 is the time to beat. “I trust my training and my coach, and I believe I can achieve my best time. Last year I worked very hard — it was both a physical and mental effort. I don’t like the rain, and at kilometer 18 or 19 it started raining heavily with wind, which was a big challenge for me,” he explained.

When asked if he could beat the 56:42 achieved by Jacob Kiplimo in Barcelona (not yet ratified), the Ethiopian replied that it would be “very difficult” for him, joking, “maybe you can give me a car too…” He added, “If I beat my personal best on Sunday, I’ll celebrate the world record, not the national record.”

For her part, Agnes Jebet Ngetich (1:03:04) said, “the world record is there. I’ll go for it, but it depends on how my body responds. The plan is to aim for the record, but we’ll have to see how the weather and my body feel.” She added, “I pray to meet expectations in the race and be faster than last year.”

Fotyen Tesfay (1:03:21), who finished second behind Ngetich last year, also shared her thoughts: “I’m not running for revenge against my teammate; we’ll run well and together. I’m ready to run faster, and if God helps me, I’ll try to achieve my personal best. I’ll give it my all — training has gone really well, and I feel great.”

Sweden’s Andreas Almgren (59:23) will also chase a record — Europe’s best. “I’ve only run one half marathon before, and I was 10 seconds off the European record. Now I’m in much better shape and hope to break the 59-minute barrier,” he said.

The organization is going all in

Juan Botella, elite coordinator of the Valencia Half Marathon and CEO of SD Correcaminos, the organizing entity, stated: “We’re hosting a half marathon that strives to be the most self-critical and rigorous in the world — a race capable of challenging the ratified world records for both men and women. I’m authorized by World Athletics to confirm that the official men’s world half marathon record is Yomif Kejelcha’s from last year. And on Sunday, if someone surpasses that, we’ll request ratification for a new world record. So, it’ll be a world record with suspense — or delayed. We’re confused but proud.”

Marc Roig, coach of the international elite, also expressed confidence in achieving great results: “The lineup is very strong, and I’m very pleased that we’re repeating top positions. We hope to improve on what we’ve achieved so far and have 8 of the 10 best half marathon times in the world in Valencia.”